Question

How are the 15 chemical elements of the “Lanthanoids/Lanthanides” and the 15 chemical elements of the “Actinoids/Actinides” (both groups = Rare Earths) are used in different technologies: e.g. for electronics, magnets, batteries, and catalysts, etc.?

Answer 1

The lanthanides and actinides, collectively known as the rare earth elements, play crucial roles in various technologies due to their unique properties. Here are some examples of how these elements are used in different applications:

Electronics:

1. Neodymium (Nd) and samarium (Sm) are used in high-strength permanent magnets for motors, generators, and speakers.
2. Europium (Eu) is used in phosphors for fluorescent lamps, plasma screens, and cathode-ray tubes.
3. Gadolinium (Gd) is used in magnetostrictive devices, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, and magnetic refrigeration.

Catalysis: 4. Cerium (Ce) is used in automotive catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions.

5. Lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), and terbium (Tb) are used in petroleum refining catalysts.
6. Uranium (U) is used as a catalyst in the petroleum and chemical industries.

Batteries: 7. Lanthanum-nickel-hydride (La-Ni-H) batteries are used in hybrid and electric vehicles.

8. Cerium-based compounds are used in nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.

Magnets: 9. Samarium-cobalt (Sm-Co) magnets are used in motors, sensors, and high-temperature applications.

10. Dysprosium (Dy) is added to neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets to enhance their high-temperature stability.

Glass and Optics: 11. Erbium (Er) and holmium (Ho) are used as dopants in optical fibers and lasers for telecommunications and medical applications.

12. Yttrium (Y) is used in phosphors for television and computer screens.

Nuclear Energy: 13. Uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) are used as fuel in nuclear reactors.

14. Thorium (Th) is being explored as a potential fuel for next-generation nuclear reactors.

Other Applications: 15. Promethium (Pm) is used in luminous paint and nuclear batteries.

16. Lutetium (Lu) is used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
17. Actinium (Ac) is used in neutron sources and cancer treatments.

It's important to note that not all rare earth elements are equally abundant or commercially viable, and their specific applications may vary based on availability, cost, and performance requirements. Additionally, some applications may involve complex combinations of rare earth elements or require specialized processing techniques.